Most Business Owners Use or Plan to Use LED Bulbs; Half Delay Implementing Due to Upfront Costs: Leapfrog Lighting Poll

A new survey from Leapfrog Lighting reveals upfront cost as the leading reason for delay in implementing LED lamps in the workplace, even though 81.9 per cent ultimately install or plan to install.

A recent poll from a marketing research company on behalf of Leapfrog Lighting found that half of business owners hesitated to implement LED lighting due to upfront costs.

It's good to see that 81.9 per cent currently use or plan to use LED. As an industry, though, we should try to educate users on the overall value proposition. We've done a good job on educating users on the energy and long life benefits. — Stephen Naor

Ottawa, Canada (PRWEB) July 23, 2014

The upfront installation cost of retrofitting workplaces with LED bulbs is the main stumbling block holding back business owners from implementing the change. Although 81.9 per cent of those surveyed* currently use or plan to use LED bulbs, high price is the main reason 50.9 per cent of business owners delay implementation.

The new Leapfrog Lighting poll asked a randomized sample of 200 business owners and managers, "What is the main reason you delayed implementation of LED light bulbs in your workplace?"

"Upfront costs" emerged as a significant obstacle to implementation. Only 5.5 per cent doubted manufacturers’ claims of long life, and another 6.1 per cent doubted energy savings claims. Another 19.6 per cent doubted the overall value proposition, while 18 per cent were fully convinced.

"Upfront costs tend to be the main issue we run across with clients," said Stephen Naor, CEO of Leapfrog Lighting, who commissioned the poll of random business owners and managers. "That's not a surprise. It's good to see that 81.9 per cent currently use or plan to use LED. As an industry, though, we should try to educate users on the overall value proposition. We've done a good job on educating users on the energy and long life benefits."

Since 81.9 per cent of those surveyed currently use or plan to use LED in their workplaces, the survey results suggest that upfront cost remains a temporary objection rather than a permanent obstacle. The 19.6 per cent who indicated they were "not convinced of value" may eventually be convinced with case studies or other value demonstrations. It appears that the majority of business owners are convinced of the claims of long bulb life and energy savings, a combined total of 11.6 per cent.

Interestingly, older cohorts were more likely to be convinced of the benefits of LED lighting; 38.9 per cent of respondents 65 years or older stated they were "convinced", none (0 per cent) did not believe in the "energy savings claims" or "claims of long life" and only 27.4 per cent found upfront costs too high. Those aged 55–64 years also trended higher than average for "convinced," and lower than average on "upfront costs" as an obstacle, at 45 per cent.

The age groups 35–44 and 18–24 years were most likely to pick "upfront costs too high" at 62.9 per cent. Both age groups were also less likely to choose "convinced."

However, higher income cohorts in the study were more likely to choose "upfront costs too high" while lower income cohorts were the least likely. Among
$150,000-and-up income earners, 73.3 per cent found "upfront costs too high," compared with only 44.5 per cent of $25,000–$49,999 income earners.

There was some deviation by lifestyle as well, with rural businesses less concerned with upfront costs, urban businesses just under average, but suburban respondents coming it at 58.1 per cent.

The US Northeast and Midwest were more likely to emphasize "upfront costs too high" while the US South and West were below average on the point. The US South was more likely to choose "not convinced of value" than other regional cohorts.

Males were significantly more likely to be concerned with upfront costs at 54.5 per cent versus females at 41 per cent. Concerning value, 33.3 per cent of females were more likely to be totally convinced of value, versus only 14.3 per cent of males.

About the Poll
The blind, randomized poll canvassed the opinions of 200 business owners and managers, a segmented cohort of a larger poll drawing 2,372 responses. Data were collected by a research company on behalf of Leapfrog Lighting. The poll is considered statistically accurate, subject to an error rate of 3.92 per cent. The poll has an average absolute error rate of 3.92 and a confidence level exceeding 95 per cent.

About Leapfrog Lighting
The current Leapfrog Lighting spec-quality product line includes MR16, PAR20, PAR30 and PAR38 lamps that provide industry-leading output power through high-efficiency LED source and driver electronics. The innovative lens design creates a pleasing, glare-free light suitable for use in all indoor and unexposed outdoor down-lighting applications. The lamps also deliver the high CRI and ultra-consistent colour temperature control critical to multi-lamp applications in hotels, restaurants, schools, office buildings, museums, galleries, retail operations and other public spaces. With a life expectancy of 40,000 operating hours, these UL-registered lamps will provide more than twenty-seven years of service at four hours per day.

“Leapfrog Lighting intends to be the current and future benchmark in quality of light for years to come,” said Stephen Naor of Leapfrog.

81.9 per cent statistic is from the same pool of surveyed business owners. This information was released previously in the research report "Leapfrog Lighting Manufacturer's Claims Versus Real-Life Experience" previously released.